# @premierleague on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DMX2IxMChTS
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/32537345-premierleague-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/97aac4aecd.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-07-21T14:07:01.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Premier League (@premierleague) — https://gondola.cc/premierleague

## Caption

In 2007 I started at Frenford. My dad was a volunteer at the club, and he passed away suddenly. To honour his memory, it just felt like something I needed to do. I met some good people who thought it would provide a bit of solace for me. I needed the space as much as I needed to help.

When I first started there weren’t many South Asians in local grassroots football. I didn't set out to change that, I just wanted to support a local community, and a local community in this area is 47% South Asian.

Rashid Abba is Academy Mentor at West Ham. I went on a Talent ID Level 2 with Rashid. I said, ‘Alright, what does it look like? It’s all well and good doing these courses, but what's the next step?’.

Rashid pitched to West Ham if they would link the foundation and professional game. We recognised an opportunity to do more for our community.

We’re their first emerging talent centre, Emerging Hammers, a partnership with the Premier League’s South Asian Action Plan. Frenford identify local talent and get them in. If they are good enough, they go to the academy to have a trial. If they don't get signed, we keep an eye on them. 33 players have been signed through the centre.

We try to replicate the elite stuff we do at West Ham. We're trying to upskill coaches, taking lessons from West Ham, how they do sessions, how we can maintain that engaging environment whilst ensuring outcomes to benefit young people.

What makes me excited is opportunities against the academy side. We've been able to find a number of talented boys who have gone in with the academy and have great potential.

If you can see it, you can be it. The more people within the environment that represent our community, then the more opportunity there should be. The dream is to see South Asians in the professional game. We have to all do our part to develop the best talent possible, because it could come from any of us.

#PLMoreThanAGame

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